Page 90 of Broken Souls

“Come to the cafe. I just finished my shift.”

I drive to the cafe and sit on the bar stool. The cafe is closing soon and it's empty so Ryleigh is just wiping down the counters.

“What's up?” I ask.

“Dash asked me to move in with him last night.” Ryleigh sighs.

“Oh, are you happy about that?” I ask as carefully as I can, gauging her reaction.

“I love Dash but it's the werewolf thing. The pack lives in the outer area of the town. I constantly have to be in town for work and school so my schedule would be hard to manage. I kind of want Dash to move into my apartment,” Ryleigh explains.

“Have you talked to him about this?” I ask.

“No. It's just I don't want to be the only human in a werewolf territory. Does it sound stupid?”

“No, it's understandable. But Dash will always protect you and you've got Olly and me. Plus, Dash isn't really allowed to move out of the pack area since he's the beta,” I say.

She sighs. “What should I do?”

“Talk to him about it. If you're worried about work and school, we can come up with time management so you can do what you need to do. Besides, I have a part human life, working in the shopping centre, socialising with humans and stuff. You can still keep your human life in town and live with Dash,” I tell her.

“Thanks, I'll talk to him about it.”

“Anytime.”

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Waking up, I stretch and sit up. When I see it's past noon, my eyes widen. I've been sleeping in a lot lately but not till noon. I don't sense Axe in the house so I mind link and he tells me he's out with Dash. After spending the next five minutes scoping out the fridge and pantry, I let out a frustrated sigh. I can't find anything I want to eat. I've got to go grocery shopping.

Driving into town, I park the car and go in the shop. I lean against the trolley as I dawdle down the aisles to get the things I need. After reaching the fifth aisle, I realise there are only a few items in the trolley. Usually it's half full by the fifth aisle. When my eyes zero in on the women's products, a theory as to why I can't find any food I want goes through my head. I take a deep breath and reach out to grab a pregnancy test. Looking at the box, I bite my lip hard in agitation. I know there is a possibility that I could be pregnant, based on Axe's and my sex life. But I don't know if I want to find out.

I put it in the trolley, pay for my stuff and go straight home knowing I can't put this off. I have to take this test and see what my future holds. Axe still isn't here so that makes me relax. I have privacy to react to this however I want.

The three minutes after I take the test are the most anxiety-filled minutes I've ever felt. I sit on the toilet bouncing my leg as a nervous gesture. When I look at the test, two lines appear, making me lose my breath. I'm pregnant. I know having kids is something I expected to do one day but I'm only eighteen. Axe does want kids one day. I'm just not sure if either of us is ready now. I grab my phone to call Carson but then pause. I can't tell anyone other than Axe first. I debate whether I should tell him today or give myself a couple days to wrap my head around it.

***

I decided to leave myself a couple days to keep this pregnancy to myself. Dash ran to the border a few nights ago for me and told Lizzy I wasn't feeling well, that's why I wasn't coming to see her. I told Axe I don't feel well either just to give myself some alone time. I'm telling Axe today, though.

When Axe comes to bed, I sit up and tell him we need to talk. He sits in front of me on the bed.

“Are you feeling better?” he asks softly.

“Actually, I wasn't really unwell. Axe, I... I'm pregnant,” I tell him.

His eyes go wide, his lips part, and his posture slouches. I reach for his hand and feel relief when he curls his fingers around mine.

“That explains it.” He lets out a breath of relief.

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“I could sense something different about you. I didn't know what but I could feel something off about you and your wolf. I'm glad it's nothing bad.”

“We're having a baby,” I murmur.

“Are you scared?” His eyes soften.

“Are you?” I throw his question back at him.